a very great

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very great" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the magnitude or intensity of something, often in a positive context. Example: "She has a very great talent for music that captivates everyone who hears her play."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Clarence Carter is a very great man.

The New Yorker

"But this was a very great stretch".

The New Yorker

It is a very great thing".

The Guardian

He is a very great writer, immense.

The New Yorker

Hitler is a very great man".

The Guardian

He was a very great man.

The Guardian

Robertson is a very great novelist.

The Guardian - Books

It is a very great picture".

The Guardian - Arts

They were a very great influence.

The Guardian - Books

It is often a very great opportunity".

The Guardian

"This case puts that principle to a very great test".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a very great" to emphasize the significance or magnitude of something, adding weight to your statement. For instance, instead of saying "a good opportunity", consider "a very great opportunity" to highlight its importance.

Common error

Avoid using "a very great" excessively in casual conversation or informal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for more natural alternatives like "really great" or "incredibly good" to maintain a conversational tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very great" functions as an intensifying adjective phrase, modifying a noun to emphasize its significance or quality. It serves to elevate the noun it describes, highlighting its importance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a very great" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for emphasizing the magnitude or significance of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts, predominantly within news and media. While versatile, it's important to consider the tone and avoid overuse in overly informal situations. Alternatives like "extremely significant" or "highly remarkable" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Remember to employ "a very great" to underscore importance and add impact to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an exceptionally important

Emphasizes the importance of something to a higher degree.

a highly remarkable

Substitutes "very great" with a phrase highlighting exceptional quality.

a vastly important

Underscores the extensive importance of something.

an extremely significant

Replaces "very great" with a more formal term emphasizing importance.

a particularly outstanding

Highlights something that stands out from the rest.

a truly magnificent

Replaces "very great" with a term suggesting impressive beauty or grandeur.

an extraordinarily influential

Focuses on the power to affect something, instead of general greatness.

a notably superior

Emphasizes the quality of being better than others.

a considerably substantial

Indicates a large amount or degree.

a profoundly meaningful

Highlights the deep significance or importance.

FAQs

How can I use "a very great" in a sentence?

Use "a very great" to emphasize the magnitude, quality, or importance of something. For example, "He is "a very great leader"" or "It was "a very great honor" to be invited".

What are some alternatives to "a very great"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "an extremely significant", "a highly remarkable", or "an exceptionally important".

Is "a very great" formal or informal?

"A very great" can be used in both formal and neutral contexts, but it might sound slightly more formal than alternatives like "really great" or "incredibly good".

What makes "a very great" different from "great"?

The addition of "very" intensifies the adjective "great", emphasizing the magnitude or degree to a greater extent than simply saying "great". It's used to underscore the significance or quality being described.